Soy bean field in Mato Grosso, Brazil
Brasília - Arab Today
Weeks of drought and heat have hit Brazil's soy and corn production, but the agriculture ministry on Tuesday still predicted a record 2014 harvest.
Corn production is
set to total 75.5 million metric tons, down from a January estimate of 79 million, state food supply agency Conab said in its monthly report.
Soy production will be 90 million tons, just off a January forecast of 90.3 million, and still 10.4 percent higher than last year, Conab said.
For soy, grain and rice combined, Conab now expects 2013 to show a 3.6 percent increase overall, to 193.6 million tons.
Last month it had forecast a combined total of 196.7 million tons -- but January saw very low rainfall in much of the giant country.
Brazil's Institute of Geography and Statistics gave its own 2014 forecast of 193.9 million tons, three percent up on last year's 188.2 million tons, which was, itself, the best return on record.
Conac chairman Rubens Rodrigues dos Santos played down the effects of low rainfall, saying "favorable (production) expectations are confirmed."
Consultant Rafael Ribeiro told AFP: "There has been a lack of rain, and heat affecting the south, in particular, has begun to have an effect, which could lead to further downward revisions in forecasts."
But, like the official agencies, he still forecast a record yield.
Brazil is the world’s number one soybean exporter and also second-biggest exporter of corn.
Source: AFP
GMT 08:58 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Philippine volcano rains ash, violent eruption fearedGMT 08:37 2018 Monday ,22 January
China's waste import ban upends global recycling industryGMT 07:04 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Dutch shocked by call to ban EU electric pulse fishingGMT 06:41 2018 Friday ,19 January
Cape Town water ration to be slashed as drought bitesGMT 06:47 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Thames paddle-boarders try to turn the tide on plasticGMT 06:50 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
The Romanian sheep nibbling away at US securityGMT 07:44 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
China races to prevent environmental disasterGMT 08:11 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Sea levels off Dutch coast highest ever recordedMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©